Lavender & Olive Oil Cake

Ingredients:

• Baking spray with flour
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon finely grated orange peel
• 1 tablespoon culinary lavender, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2/3 cup plain yogurt
• 3 large eggs
• 2/3 cup pure olive oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 3/4 cup ricotta cheese, room temperature

Directions:
Heat oven to 350F. Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan generously with baking spray; set aside.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl.

Whisk together sugar, orange peel, lavender and pepper in a large mixing bowl until evenly distributed.

Add yogurt, eggs and olive oil; continue whisking until smooth. Whisk in vanilla. Add flour mixture and gently whisk in until just combined. Scrape batter into prepared pan.

Bake 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool in pan 5 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely.

Whip cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.

Add honey and continue to whip until stiff. Add ricotta cheese, a dollop at a time, and beat until fluffy. Slice cake.

Top slices with honeyed ricotta and sprinkle with lavender.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Courtesy of Family Features